Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Advisor

JOB TITLE: Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Advisor

LOCATION/SERVICE AREA: Grand Island & Kearney, NE with Travel Requirement within the Service Area.

REPORTS TO: Supervisor

PRIMARY OFFICE: Remote with Travel Requirements

FLSA/EMPLOYEE STATUS: Full-Time (32 hrs. /wk.; 4 days/wk.); Non-exempt

BENEFITS: Medical, dental, vision, life and accident insurance; Employee Assistance Programs (EAP); 401(k); paid holidays, vacation time, and sick time.

Organization Overview
The Center for People With Disabilities (CPWD) is a dedicated nonprofit organization committed to fostering an inclusive community that empowers individuals with disabilities. Since 1977, CPWD has provided a wide range of independent living services, guided by a team that is predominantly composed of individuals with disabilities themselves.

SUMMARY:

We are looking for a high-energy, warm, and naturally outgoing connector to serve as our next Veterans Independence Program (VIP) Advisor. If you are a go-getter who easily builds trust and rapport with diverse individuals, thrives on bringing structure to complex details, and brings a flexible, positive presence to every interaction, you will excel in this role. As a VIP Advisor, you won’t just manage administrative needs and care plans, you’ll be a trusted mentor, advocate, and partner empowering local Veterans to direct their own care and live independently in their communities.

The VIP Advisor supports the activities of the Veterans Independence Program (VIP), helping Veterans maintain independence and successfully live in their communities. This position assists Veterans with managing individualized budgets, identifying and coordinating services, hiring and supervising personal care workers, and purchasing goods and services that support independent living.

The VIP Advisor develops and monitors person-centered support and spending plans, coordinates services and resources, and helps Veterans address challenges as they arise. A core responsibility of this role is ensuring that Veterans and/or their representatives remain in control of decision-making and direct their own services. The VIP Advisor serves as a trusted resource, advocate, mentor, and partner while fostering positive relationships with Veterans, community organizations, VA partners, and CPWD staff.

This position requires strong organizational skills, independent judgment, a commitment to disability rights and Independent Living philosophy, and the ability to build meaningful relationships with Veterans from diverse backgrounds.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Provide support services to an average of 30 Veterans to ensure they obtain access to services and supports in order to live independently in the community, increase self-advocacy skills, and improve quality of life.
• Required to visit Veterans in person a minimum of quarterly and have intake meetings in person for new Veterans.
• Utilize the Activities of Daily Living (ADL) Assessment to determine Veterans’ functional needs and support requirements.
• Facilitate the development, implementation, and documentation of a veteran-directed support plan and spending plan.
• Provide information and referrals to help Veterans find needed services and supports.
• Assist Veterans with recruiting, hiring, training, supervising, and terminating employees, including completion of all employer and employee-related paperwork.
• Work with the Fiscal Management Service, helping the Veteran review, approve, and submit timesheets.
• Work in conjunction with VIP Coordinator and Director of Strategic Growth to monitor billing to ensure expenditures are within budget and that employees are receiving their pay and benefits.
• Help the Veteran evaluate how well VIP is working.
• Keep the local VA Medical Center informed about the Veteran’s status, in conjunction with VIP Coordinator.
• Collaborate with military and civilian community resources.
• Maintain accurate, complete, and timely documentation in required databases and reporting systems.
• Gain an understanding of Independent Living Philosophy and CPWD’s mission, vision and programs to be able to uphold and communicate them to veterans and community organizations.
• Demonstrate a high level of ethics, integrity, and professionalism.
• Have a working knowledge of the Americans with Disabilities Act, the Rehabilitation Act, and the Fair Housing Act.
• Maintain strict confidentiality and work within the confines of HIPAA regulations.
• All CPWD staff members are considered mandatory reporters, obligated to report signs of abuse they are aware of both on and off the job. Must have an understanding of mandatory reporting laws in Nebraska.
• Accept responsibility for personal and professional development and explore opportunities for position-related training.
• Travel up to 50% as needed for direct services, meetings, and trainings. Most Veterans live within 1 to 1.5 hours one way, and those visits typically happen 3 to 4 times a week. Longer trips for required Veteran visits, occasionally up to 3.5 hours one way, take place once or twice a month and are generally grouped by area.
• Attend and participate in required CPWD staff meetings, program meetings, and staff trainings. Occasional travel to Boulder Colorado Headquarters may be required.
• Perform other duties, as assigned.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Associate’s degree in a relevant field or relevant equivalent experience.
• Working knowledge of disabilities and disability-related issues.
• Valid driver’s license, insurance, and clean driving record.
• Satisfactory background and motor vehicle check.
• Able to work independently, making solid decisions and exercising sound judgment with consumer and community contacts.
• Must be very organized and able to juggle multiple priorities and deadlines.
• Strong organizational and customer service skills, and attention to detail.
• Effective written and oral communication skills.
• Proficiency with MS Windows, MS Office, Google Suite, and other common computer programs.
• Strong leadership and interpersonal skills, with the ability to build effective relationships and collaborate successfully with diverse individuals, teams, Veterans, staff, and management.
• Able to positively represent CPWD and outreach to the community and public.
• Commitment to CPWD’s Non-Discrimination Policy and DEI Statement, and to co-creating a culture that fosters diversity, equity, and inclusion.
• Able to demonstrate CPWD’s core values of inclusiveness, flexibility, person-first, accountability, and integrity.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Personal experience with a disability is strongly preferred!
• Bachelor’s degree in human services or related field, or two years of experience working with individuals with disabilities.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish or English/ASL).
• Exposure to Independent Living Philosophy, and best practices in the IL community.
• Knowledge of Person Centered Planning principles.

PHYSICAL/ENVIRONMENTAL REQUIREMENTS:

• Office environment requiring ongoing computer use and an extended amount of time sitting or standing.
• Local and regional travel averaging up to 50% of work time, including travel in various weather conditions.
• Must possess reliable transportation and maintain the ability to travel throughout the service area.
• Primarily based remotely out of the employee’s home.

HOW TO APPLY:

As a Center for Independent Living, CPWD values the perspectives of people with disabilities and encourages individuals with disabilities to apply.

Apply through Indeed or email your updated résumé to [email protected]. A cover letter explaining why you are a strong candidate for this position is encouraged. See the full post on our website, where you can read more about us and what we do.

What happens next: We review applications on a rolling basis. If your background is a good match, we’ll reach out by phone, email, or text to schedule a short phone screen.

We look forward to hearing from you!

www.cpwd.org

CPWD is an Equal Opportunity Employer

EQUAL EMPLOYMENT OPPORTUNITY: The Center for People With Disabilities is committed to the principles of Equal Employment Opportunity and to fostering a culture of diversity, equity, and inclusion. We actively work to challenge and dismantle systemic racism and other forms of oppression. We prohibit unlawful discrimination against applicants and employees on the basis of disability; race (including traits historically associated with race, such as hair texture, hair type, and protective hairstyles); color; national origin; ancestry; religion or creed; sex; sexual orientation; gender identity or expression; age (40 and over); genetic information; veteran or military status; marital or familial status; or any other status protected by applicable federal, state, or local law. CPWD provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities and to applicants during the hiring process, in accordance with applicable law, unless doing so would create an undue hardship. (Rev. 06.16.26)

Pay: $30.00 - $35.00 per hour

Benefits:

• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Application Question(s):

• Are you located whithin a 30 minute drive of Grand Island or Kearney, NE?

Work Location: Hybrid remote in Grand Island, NE 68802